As Managing Director of the BIA, Kanako's main duties include overseeing all administrative tasks at the Broadmoor Arts & Wellness Center. Serving as a hub for the BIA's numerous services like affordable counseling and tool lending library, the AWC is also home to a martial arts dojo and non-profit partners and regularly hosts diverse wellness programs.  

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Kanako has been a proud Broadmoor resident since 2009. Her work with the BIA started as a Block Captain, Communications Consultant, AWC Office Manager, and then Director of Operations. Kanako attended Tulane University Newcomb College (2006) to study Psychology and Ecology & Evolutionary Biology and completed her Masters from the Tulane University School of Social Work (2007). Following Katrina, she worked as a school social worker before opening a retail boutique called Kawaii NOLA on Magazine Street in 2013. Kanako has also worked for several local businesses including Mignon Faget, Lionheart Prints, and Tubby & Coo’s Mid-City Bookshop.

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Kanako loves that so many neighborhood gems like the Keller Library, El Pavo Real, and Hey Cafe are within walking distance. In her free time, she loves to explore the city with her 2 kids, attending community events and supporting small businesses. She enjoys reading, spending time outdoors, and DIY craft projects.

Jonah primarily provides talk therapy services for individuals and couples. He also supports our social work interns with group supervision and through educational presentations about particular therapy concepts. He has been integral in getting the bi-monthly Repair Cafe program up and running! Jonah's role at BIA is expanding as he takes over running our Continuing Education Units program for mental health professionals and expands our internal professional development services.

Jonah received his MSW from SUNO in 2018, and is Advanced Trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy and Level 1 Trained in Internal Family Systems. Jonah is a big fan of the lo-mein plate at Cajun Seafood! He is fascinated by all ways of trying to live more intentionally, odd but intuitive ways of moving our bodies, and the limits of human vulnerability. He loves plants and our human relationships with them and loves building with alternative materials.

As Community Director, Natori leads the BIA’s engagement with the

neighborhood with BIA core staff. She is responsible for the BIA’s volunteer coordination efforts and manages quality of life concerns in the community. Natori leads various community programs and events, including EatMoor and SpringMoor, the Tool Lending Library, and the Broadmoor Community Gardens. Natori  enjoys servicing the community she grew up in. She loves walking the Broadmoor Arts & Wellness Trail and community gardens.

Daniel is honored to operate one of the BIA's longest running programs, The Broadmoor Food Pantry. Along with an amazing band of volunteers, The pantry serve people all over Orleans Parish providing food assistance once a month for families who need a little extra support to keep food on the table. He is excited to continue the great work of ending hunger alongside Second Harvest and their many partner agencies. Daniel is Holy Cross School Alum and Graduate of Loyola University New Orleans, Bachelor of Science. When he is not working, he is deeply rooted in his church's Young Adult Ministry (The BLOC at Celebration Church). He also loves gardening and playing piano!

AK  helps to cover front desk shifts while providing support for our community programs and administrative assistance. 

 Alex works behind the front desk as a friendly face and a facilitator between staff and residents. As Programs Assistant they work on design and communication within various projects at the BIA. They love to be of service and improve others' days however they can, so feel free to drop by the desk with a favor or just a friendly word! Alex adores the library! They think the Keller Community Center and Library is one of the best in the city.  As an artist, Alex loves to learn and discuss anything art related; they are passionate about learning and having good conversations.

Laura Decuir is a Louisiana native who has lived in New Orleans for the last decade. She graduated from Tulane University with a BFA in Music in 2014 and MA in English in 2015, and a graduate of the Tulane Masters of Social Work program. She has worked for several years in fundraising development for higher education at Tulane. In her role at the BIA, Laura focuses on case management and clinical work. Laura is passionate about mental health, music and arts, improv comedy, and funny cat videos.

 Jamie McDaniels is currently working towards receiving her Masters in Clinical Mental Health counseling from Antioch University and obtaining a trauma certification. At the BIA she will be facilitating group counseling sessions that focus on skill building and trauma recovery. She volunteers with The Trevor Project, and hopes to serve LGBTQ+ clients in her practice. She is proud of her diverse interests and ability to learn quickly. In fact, before deciding to pursue counseling as her passion, she earned a bachelors degree in chemical engineering. She enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with animals; especially at her job as a part-time veterinary technician.

 Anika hopes to gain some experience in clinical practice and counseling as her main focus. She would like to gain experience working with clients one-on-one and gain group therapy skills/support group skills. She also look forward to contributing to the Food Pantry. She is excited to join in on different events as well, such as the Halloween events. Anika received her B.A. from Loyola University and now furthering her  education at LSU's MSW program. Most of her experience has been geared towards working with at-risk youth, but she also have experience working in the courts. There are so many wonderful things about this place. The BIA offers a wide variety of services, from counseling to karate to food distribution. She is excited for all of it. She also knows that Broadmoor takes place in a lot of events, such as Halloween! She is very excited to participate in the events as well. She is also excited to volunteer in the food pantry and get involved with the community. Anika really loves to play sports. She loves going to the beach and going swimming. She also really enjoys animals and spending time with her dog; They enjoy going for long walks at City Park!